Factors associated with preventive behaviors of hepatitis B among high school girls using the health belief model

Hepatitis B prevention is­ a very important issue in the young women، since it can transfer from mother to infant. This study was aimed to determine factors associated with preventive behaviors of hepatitis B among the high school girls during the academic year 2005-2006 in the Arak، Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed in five high schools in the Arak city. A total of 590 students from the first and second grades، who agreed to take part in the study، enrolled using a cluster sampling method. The data were collected by a questionnaire، including constructs of perceived severity (15 items)، perceived susceptibility (eight items)، perceived barriers and benefits (seven items)، behavioral intention (10 items)، and self-efficiency (two items). The results showed that the mean age of students was 16. 27 ± 0. 72 years. Only 5. 4% of students had received the hepatitis B vaccination in three intervals and more than one quarter (28. 1%) of them were never used their personal equipment when they have gone to the barber salon. The constructs of perceived barriers (p=0. 001)، perceived susceptibility (p=0. 022) and self-efficacy (p=0. 001) were significantly associated with preventive behaviors of hepatitis B. The perceived barriers (3. 76±0. 60) had the maximum score، while self-efficacy (2. 13± 0. 87) had the minimum score. Due to the low range of preventive behaviors of hepatitis B and since these behaviors were associated with constructs of perceived barriers، perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy، adult girls must know about real preventive barriers of this disease and suitable ways have to be prepared to perceive the susceptibility of this disease and developing of self-efficiency.